Bluesound Node (2021) USB Out & Linear Power Supplies
Answered
Just purchased my BS Node (2021) to be arriving this week. 2 questions:
1) When exactly will the USB output be available and working? Will it be a firmware update? I want to use my Matrix SPIDIF 2 DDC to connect to my dac via I2S. I need USB out for this to work.
2) Is there a power upgrade available to so I can use an aftermarket linear power supply to improve the performance?
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Official comment
Hi Ace
Yesterday's update did not include USB DAC output, not from lack of trying though and we are still looking to add it very shortly. That being said, it is very unlikely it will support I2S.
As for the power supply, Bluesound Players are not kit products and are finished goods. There are no user-serviceable parts in your Bluesound NODE. I would also suggest we put great care into our hardware engineering to deliver the best product possible.
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Ace, good luck on getting a firm and precise answer on the USB Output (eyes roll). A lot of frustration by many on this issue.
IMO, you do not need to change the Power supply on the newest Node. Maybe it helped the older one like the 2
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I got an Update this morning... I had high hope it would be the USB Output
Nope... was not :(
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Thanks Tony! You guys get that USB out working and my DDC will do the reclocking and get the I2S to work and feed my external dac. I just need that USB out functioning otherwise it's no bueno for me.
Understand on the power supply response but every electronic component in audio can be improve my better power supplies. I get the company won't support the aftermarket tweaks but people will still tinker and a Linear Power supply upgrade typically is the cheapest to improve SQ.
I'll keep watching for the USB digital output.
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Thanks Tony. We'll see
Ace, I'm in the same boat. I have an USB Audio Bridge which will handle the I2S Out
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Can't wait to get USB out working. I use a Holo Audio May DAC. The really "cherry on the sundae" would be I2S capability.
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I bought the Node NT130 as it stated in the desciption that USB Output is a feature. ...
than you learn they put some stars to the product deciption saying it IS possible through a firmware update. When you say that in my language it means: It is available, just update the firmware.
Now I just learned this is a neverending request and discussion.
I ask myself...
...why the hell does it take so long if it is a long planned feature and simple to do ?
...will it ever be there if the difficulties to release it are so big ?
so I called up my dealer which came went back to the german distributer...they told him...January/February maybe.
So i got this via Amazon which has a return policy until end of january. If the update is not there by end of january, the Node goes back.
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Frank, These guys on the Support Staff been telling us for weeks and weeks it will be out in December (End of the year). I wonder why BS Distributors are saying next year (Confused)
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It is always a bad sign if a software developer tells you its out in 3 months...no matter when you ask them...it is always 3 months...
That is why I well send mine back end of january when the update is not there....because i can see 2022 model coming and you sit on the old hardware which does not get any support as the new one has to be developed...
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Yep, I love my Node except for lack of USB out. Like most of us still waiting for this feature I'm highly frustrated and disappointed that this hasn't happened. I'm now passed the point of return for my Node so made the decision to keep it for the time being as I haven't yet found anything else for a similar price that offers the convenience or SQ of the Node used as a streaming transport into my Brooklyn Dac+. But, I think change will be coming in the new year - for me if not for the Node.
For those questioning if I2S will be available Bluesound have never promised that facility. A firmware upgrade will never give you a physical socket compatible with I2S.
For those looking for a power supply upgrade Teddy Pardo does one but I've not tried it. It will also invalidate your warranty.
Keep up the pressure guys...
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I2S is an hdmi port, which the node has, so it could be possible (just like the USB could be an output one of these days).
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Guys please reread my post. I will buy a DDC (either Singxer SU6 or matrix X spdif 2) to connect the BlueSound node to it via usb out. The ddc is a reclocker and has i2s out. I just need usb out from BlueSound
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New Firmware 3.16.2... NO USB out :(
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@Tony W. - Product Support Manager
Please confirm if the latest omission of USB output functionality is a hardware issue or a software limitation?
I've heard a rumor that there is a problem with hardware which means a firmware update won't fix usb output. This is a critical feature for me thus the follow-up questions.
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Ace , I'm reading about the same possible hardware issue on several Audio Forums. If (IF) true , no firmware update will work.
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Can you elaborate on this "hardware issue? Unless coming directly from Bluesound, how would we know there is truly a hardware limitation. I just find it unlikely that after all these months Bluesound wouldn't know if the hardware was an absolute limiting factor. They have repeatedly said USB output is coming.
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Invenio , 'read it on the internet' :-) However , Bluesound have been quick in releasing firmware fixes. Sometimes within one week. Not so with the promised USB Output. Its been what? 11 months? Product Support are vague when answering questions about a date. Something is wrong IMHO... I'm sticking to BS 'by the end of the year' -- If not by Dec 31st my Node is going back for a refund
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I got mine from Amazon with the 31st January return date on it...I would find it illegal to sell a feature, take the money and later not deliver. Than just state: I wont be there and take it from the article description used to sell it.
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There is nothing illegal with a promise of a future feature. They've clearly said they are adding the feature, and it's clearly marked that it's a feature that will come with a firmware update. They did say "by the end of the year", so there is a date, although this is software development and those timelines do get adjusted (for any type of software).
If you bought the node specifically for the USB output, I think that was a mistake. At the end of the day, why would you buy a product when it didn't function as you intended from day 1? I new the limitation when I bought mine, and yes, I want USB out, but have it set up with optical out currently.
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Invenio , I'm happy you are satisfied with your Node. What will you say if "by the end of the year" has come and gone and still no USB Output? Will you still blame the consumer?
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Oh, in German they state USB-Output is available after a firmware update.
IS
not ...Will be...or might be...or in the future...or once the update is developed...they are using words which make you believe that you simply need to update your delivered product as many products need an update until they arrive at the customer and than you got the feature.
And again, I did not said that playing with words in this way is illegal...but you at least create intentionally an illusion...which is a legal term here as well btw...and if you dont delivered what has been promised this indeed is a cause to sue bluesound at any later day for a refund.
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Any by the way...I try to use spdif coax to feed my soekris dac...which really is only working with clicks and pauses, really very unreliable...as I got a lot of hires PCM material plus Amazon Music HD...This never was an issue with my Linux Sotm Based Mini-PC using MPD over USB. I tried as well raspberry and DietPi and many other Linux based OS, all of them have no issues with USB-Output...as BLueOS might be Linux based as well, I am really surprise why süthis seems to be such a tough thing to implement.
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"I am really surprise why this seems to be such a tough thing to implement."
Frank , that is why many people are suspecting it is something other than a firmware update. Maybe a hardware problem... I just hope BS gives us a Christmas Present
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....me too...I would be very glad, if get what we paid for...plus I really like to have streamer which poays Amazon Music HS in a good quality (echo link is crap).
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@Christian Allen
I'm not blaming the consumer. All I'm saying is that the website is pretty clear about the fact that USB is a future feature, with no definitive date.
@Frank
If that's the case, then maybe it's a bad translation issue. The English site says "*Available for free with future software update". No promise of a date.
I'm sorry you are having issues. If the spdif output is not working correctly, then that is another issue and perhaps a reason in itself for a return.
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At the end of the day, I share your frustrations as this is a feature I am looking forward to using in my system. All I am saying is that when I bought my Node, I thought the website was pretty clear that USB output is not a current feature and it was an undetermined amount of time when that would be available.
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I wish ALL here a Merry Christmas (Happy Holidays!) and a peaceful new year
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To you as well, as well as all our other audiophiles here!
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To be fair to Bluesound they never said the end of which year!!
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:-)
Thanks for the levity , Andy !
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Keeping my fingers crossed that Santa might bring us a firmware fix, but its more likely to be the Easter bunny!
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